KYW NewsRadio needs to remodel its news format

[8638]

But it's not the best anyone can do. The best anyone HAS DONE is probably WTOP (now on FM).

Again, I agree. Bonneville runs a top notch operation down in DC on WTOP. I do wish they hadn't moved it off of 1500 KHz, though. I realize the signal doesn't serve the western suburbs of DC well, but it was a familar friend while driving up and down the East Coast nights. Maybe after Washington Post radio dies its natural death, they'll simulcast 103.5 on 1500.

 

[JohnnyPancakes]

I agree with Don on his two posts. Also, Fred brings up some interesting discussion, as usual. I liked listening to WTOP on 1500, when it was there. It is a shame they took it off and replaced it with the talk shows.

 

[Kyle D]

I agree with Don on his two posts. Also, Fred brings up some interesting discussion, as usual. I liked listening to WTOP on 1500, when it was there. It is a shame they took it off and replaced it with the talk shows.

Hey Johnny-

If you're new around here, how do you know that Fred always brings up interesting discussion...???


As for this topic from Julius. Why do you all continue to respond to these topics that he always brings up? You all complain about him doing it over and over again, yet you continue to answer him. Personally, I don't let his posts ruin my life (like some folks...).

 

[fred flintstone]

I agree, WTOP is an excellent operation. Much as I liked being on the fringe of 1500's signal, they are a DC station. Going to FM greatly improves their ability to reach listeners in their home market. Almost all listeners there can listen to AM but they all do listen to FM.

The idea of extended "background" interviews, or "live lines" with Washington Post reporters and news makers on 1500 is an interesting idea, but apparently is not catching on. This second channel also allows WTOP to air extended coverage on 1500, while staying with the news cycle format on the main channel (now FM). They also operate a third channel, Federal News Radio, with specialized news targeting federal employees in a "company town." The WTOP main channel is simulcast on 820 AM from Frederick and I've gotten a very good reception in Central PA. They've expanded the brand and added two revenue streams at modest additional cost.

 

[WTUX]

I reply to JM's posts regarding KYW and 1210 because I hate to see his posts tearing down the city's two great AM stations. His posts show a total disreguard for the radio business and how lucky we are to have those stations being successful in Philadelphia.

 

[rdcuffpa1]

I agree, WTOP is an excellent operation. Much as I liked being on the fringe of 1500's signal, they are a DC station. Going to FM greatly improves their ability to reach listeners in their home market. Almost all listeners there can listen to AM but they all do listen to FM.

The idea of extended "background" interviews, or "live lines" with Washington Post reporters and news makers on 1500 is an interesting idea, but apparently is not catching on. This second channel also allows WTOP to air extended coverage on 1500, while staying with the news cycle format on the main channel (now FM). They also operate a third channel, Federal News Radio, with specialized news targeting federal employees in a "company town." The WTOP main channel is simulcast on 820 AM from Frederick and I've gotten a very good reception in Central PA. They've expanded the brand and added two revenue streams at modest additional cost.

I lived in Baltimore for 3 years in the 90s, after living in the Lehigh and Delaware Valleys for 16 years, so it was an adjustment getting used to the slightly different "rhythm" of WTOP vs. KYW, though I agree that WTOP is a well-run operation. It helps to have the US government in town -- means there is plenty of news to report, vital for an all-news operation.

Interesting to hear that the WTWP operation on 1500 is less successful than anticipated. I frankly haven't listened that much to it, though I would think that WTWP would be better served if there was cross-promotion from WTOP: i.e. if there was a news story that featured a 30-second sound bite on WTOP but a 5-minute interview on WTWP, then the WTOP announcer would say, "If you want to hear our entire interview with Senator Battson D. Belfry, tune to our sister station, 1500 WTWP, at 2:30 and 3:30 this afternoon."

The AM-to-FM switch made sense for Washingtonians, especially since the metro area has grown primarily towards the southwest, away from the signal contour for AM 1500. On a recent trip I was able to still pick up the 103.5 signal in the Baltimore area pretty well, through admittedly AM 1500 served Baltimore better.

For those who want to compare WTOP and KYW side by side, that's easier now...WTOP has webcast its signal for years, perhaps the longest of any major-market all-news operation, likely because it was the only such operation that wasn't owned by CBS.

Richard in Allentown

 

[JohnnyPancakes]

Kyle, I based my opinion on what I have read so far. It seems that Fred brings useful discussion to the table, despite the neanderthal that starts the said conversation. Fred makes sense out of the author's ramblings. Richard in Allentown and WTUX also has interesting things to say. I'm not kissing anyone's ass here, but I just know what I see. I think people respond to Julius because he's an easy target. [EDIT]

[EDIT--inflammatory.]

 

[Jul]

I reply to JM's posts regarding KYW and 1210 because I hate to see his posts tearing down the city's two great AM stations. His posts show a total disreguard for the radio business and how lucky we are to have those stations being successful in Philadelphia.

I'm very thankful that we have KYW-AM. I should be.

 

[Kyle D]

Kyle, I based my opinion on what I have read so far. It seems that Fred brings useful discussion to the table, despite the neanderthal that starts the said conversation. Fred makes sense out of the author's ramblings. Richard in Allentown and WTUX also has interesting things to say. I'm not kissing anyone's ass here, but I just know what I see. I think people respond to Julius because he's an easy target. However, he brings all this crap upon himself. If he wasn't such a twit, people wouldn't respond to him the way they do.

Please Sha...I mean Johnny Cakes. You're not fooling anyone.

I reply to JM's posts regarding KYW and 1210 because I hate to see his posts tearing down the city's two great AM stations. His posts show a total disreguard for the radio business and how lucky we are to have those stations being successful in Philadelphia.

I don't know if I'd consider us "lucky" to have 1210. It's a glorified satellite repeater and offers no local programming worth a damn other than Dom G & Sid Mark. His posts show a total disregard for the business because he doesn't understand how it works. I know it's not going to happen, but people should ignore his posts if they annoy them so much. Like I said, I know it won't happen because Julius is a lightning rod around these parts.

Fred has stated it before, but KYW has tweaked its format recently (adding dual anchors, reporter bytes in headlines) and always has. Remember the uproar when the added the current traffic sounder? Every station changes day to day, it just goes unoticed for the most part and becomes part of the fabric of the station.

 

[rdcuffpa1]

Richard in Allentown and WTUX also has interesting things to say. I'm not kissing anyone's ass here, but I just know what I see. I think people respond to Julius because he's an easy target.

Your check will be mailed out today...thanks for voting... (!)

I am a radio enthusiast first...and seek to understand the whys and wherefores of the radio business second... there are many technology-enabled, business-mandated trends in commercial radio that few people like, but broadcasters (and their on-air staff) must adapt to nonetheless.

Frankly, if people wish to change the behavior of others, I recommend the following article from today's NY times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/25/fashion/25love.html?em&ex=1169096400&en=a5fb740d3765b8e1&ei=5087 or http://preview.tinyurl.com/y9xqoo if the line break causes indigestion.

Richard in Allentown

[EDIT]


[EDIT-engaging in commercial activities: see (q) in TOS]